The Community MVP vote is now open to the public

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced today that the Vancouver nominee for the 2012 MLS W.O.R.K.S. Community MVP contest is Alan Bates, president of the Vancouver Street Soccer League and head coach of Portland FC, a team who participate in the street soccer league.

The Vancouver Street Soccer League uses soccer to inspire and empower the most vulnerable. The league is made up of teams that provide friendship for the homeless, physical fitness for the ill and addicted, direction for at-risk youth, and cultural focus for other unique communities such as inner-city First Nations people. The Vancouver Street Soccer League is associated with Street Soccer Canada and the Homeless World Cup.

“It’s a great honour to be selected as the Vancouver nominee for the Community MVP program,” said Alan. “Street soccer offers members of the homeless community a chance to be part of a team and belong to a community of athletes. This is why the Community MVP program is a great tie-in for the Vancouver Street Soccer League.”

For Alan Bates, it’s his love of the sport of soccer and Vancouver that make him want to continue to give back to the community.

“We are thrilled to have Alan Bates represent Vancouver in the 2012 MLS Community MVP contest,” said Rachel Lewis, Whitecaps FC chief operating officer. “We encourage all of our fans to vote for Alan and help him win $10,000 for local charity. We are proud to support Alan’s quest to be the MLS Community MVP.”

The Community MVP contest runs until Friday, July 13 at 2 p.m. PT. The winner will win the grand prize of $10,000 to their local charity, as well as a trip to the 2012 MLS All-Star game at PPL Park in Philadelphia.

You can vote for Alan online on the MLS W.O.R.K.S website at mlssoccer.com/mlsworks/community-mvp/vote. You can vote as many times as you want. Help Alan win this contest by voting today, and throughout the duration of the contest.